| Artery: Anterior interventricular branch of left coronary artery | |
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| Sternocostal surface of heart. (Anterior descending branch labeled at upper right.) | |
| Latin | ramus interventricularis anterior arteriae coronariae sinistrae |
| Gray's | subject #142 547 |
| Supplies | anterolateral myocardium, apex, interventricular septum, 45-55% of the left ventricle (LV) |
| Source | left coronary artery |
| Branches | septals, diagonals |
The "LAD", or left anterior descending artery (or anterior interventricular branch of the left coronary artery, or anterior descending branch) is an artery of the heart.
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It passes at first behind the pulmonary artery and then comes forward between that vessel and the left auricula to reach the anterior interventricular sulcus, along which it descends to the incisura apicis cordis.
In 78% of cases, it reaches the apex of the heart.
It supplies the anterolateral myocardium, apex, and interventricular septum. The LAD typically supplies 45-55% of the left ventricle (LV).
The LAD gives off two types of branches: septals and diagonals.
Because the LAD provides much of the bloodflow for the left ventricle, which in turn provides much of the propulsive force for ejecting oxygenated blood to systemic circulation via the Aorta - blockage of this artery is particularly associated with mortality. In the medical community ischemic heart attacks associated with this blood vessel are colloquially called "the widowmaker."
This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.
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